Sleep is among the most important things in an individual’s health. It has an impact on your energy levels, physical performance, mental wellness, body weight, and emotional wellbeing. We can go on and on about the importance of quality snooze, but let’s save that for another article. The bottom line is that to ensure good health and wellness, you have to focus on getting adequate quality sleep every night.

But again, good sleep depends on a diverse bunch of factors. These may range from your sleeping environment to your normal routine, lifestyle habits, and nutrition, just to name a few. In this piece, we highlight six things that could be affecting your sleep without your knowledge. Let’s dive right in.

1. Your Bedroom and Bedding

A bedroom is your ideal rest room. It should have just the right conditions and necessities to ensure quality slumber. That is why you are mostly advised to make sure you have it cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in dull colors like black, brown, navy blue, among others because brighter colors can activate your mood, making you stay alert.

On the same note, make sure that your bed and mattress are comfortable and supportive. Your bedding should also be neat, clean, and smelling fresh. Dirty or stuffy bedding will make you uncomfortable, potentially causing sleep disruption if not deprivation. Most importantly, quality and comfortable bedding can help ensure soft and dreamy sleep all night every night. For the best experience, consider investing in bedding made from organic cotton or linen. You can get different sets of sheets and covers in various colors and styles so you can change the look of your bed every now and then.

2. Sleep Pattern

We can all admit that we have experienced insomnia at some point, and it did not bode well with our next day. Well, insomnia is natural, but in some cases, we bring it ourselves. That is why we are advised to have a sleep routine that we will observe daily. While maintaining a regular sleep pattern, make sure not to take long naps during the day. They interfere with your sleep quality when night falls. Avoid using your phone when you are about to sleep. Why? Your phone stimulates your brain, thus keeping you alert longer than necessary. It interferes with your sleep cycle. Instead, try reading a book until you doze off.

3. Diet

Sleep is an essential part of humans, and it can become a nightmare when you do not eat right. What you eat and the time you do so can also have an impact on your sleep. For instance, the spicy food you eat some hours before bed can cause heartburn, which often leads to disturbed sleep. Also, taking a lot of fluids before bed can force you to make countless trips to the washroom. Notably, you are advised to have your dinner 2 hours before bedtime and make sure that it is light. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine before bed.

4. Inactivity

Sleeping and working out go hand in hand. When you work out, you are likely to have a good night’s rest. That is why you find that, on days that you have been up and about on foot running errands and meeting deadlines, you end up being so tired, and when you lay down to sleep, you have a relieving rest. On the other hand, a lot of inactivity during the day can interfere with your ability to fall asleep at night. If you’re working out, just ensure you choose a time not too close to bedtime.

5. Stress and Depression

We know that stress is inevitable, but managing it is the secret to a happy and healthy life. In the time we live, anxiety, stress, and depression have been on the rise, and they are a significant determinant of mental health. Well, mental health is linked to sleep quality, and research has proven this time and again. Factually, each element affects the other. In whichever dimension, find a way to manage your tensions so that you can be able to get better sleep. You can start by organizing, setting priorities, and delegating tasks to avoid pressures that may trigger mental and emotional health issues.

6. Sleep Apnea

This one affects sleep in the young and the old, but very few people might be aware of the problem. What characterizes sleep apnea? Snoring, headaches, mood swings, memory lapse, poor concentration, and extreme fatigue during the day are just a few of the common symptoms, direct and indirect. If you experience any of the above symptoms during the night, visit a health practitioner and get help. Mainly, its treatment revolves around lifestyle adjustments like sleeping on the side and losing weight, among others.

A good night’s sleep every day equates to a healthier you. However, various factors can affect your ability to fall and stay asleep. The worst part is that some of these factors are not so obvious. Thankfully, the above few points can help you determine what exactly could be causing your sleep problems.